Cloud-based accounting software company Xero and file hosting service Dropbox have today announced a strategic partnership that will see both services integrated for collaboration.

The partnership deal is being marketed as a benefit for small businesses, which will now be able to access and share Dropbox files within Xero. Other features are to be shared throughout the year, including an offer for SMEs to “simplify their accounting workflows”.

“Business continuity, accounting and collaboration are at the core of any successful business,” Charlie Wood, Managing Director for Dropbox in Australia and New Zealand, said in a statement.

“By partnering with Xero, it is Dropbox’s vision to be at the heart of every growing organisation.  Cloud solutions from Dropbox and Xero provide an opportunity for rapidly growing businesses to accelerate and differentiate their services and offerings. Together, we’ll be able to offer everything a small business needs to get up and running from day one.”

Xero Australia Managing Director Chris Ridd said the move was a big step to show the company’s innovation and support for SMEs.

“We have seen huge, global growth over the last four years in particular, and earlier this month announced that we now have 500,000 subscribers,” Mr Ridd said.

“Combining our efforts with Dropbox will support us in becoming a smarter and even-better connected platform for small businesses.”

The joint announcement also revealed that Dropbox for Business is on board as the major sponsor of Xero’s Xerocon 2015, which will be taking place in Melbourne 13-14 August.